Spartans edged out as Students pass final Lowland League exam

Posted on Sunday, May 11th, 2014

Spartans ended their championship winning inaugural Scottish Sun Lowland League with a narrow defeat against Stirling University at Forthbank Stadium.

A five goal feast game the fans value for money as the curtain came down on a historical season for Scottish football.

The hosts started off in fine form with Paul Sludden grabbing an 8^th minute lead.  Sludden working his way towards the edge of the box before squeezing his low drive in between the Jackson’s despairing dive and the inside of the post.

Sludden almost doubled his tally and the Students lead after fine link-up play with Geddes however this time Jackson was equal to the task.

Spartans levelled proceedings in the 24^th minute.  Motion’s corner kick was bulleted home by the head of Willie Bremner.

Despite heavy rain in the area, the playing surface at the home of Stirling Albion was in a great end of season condition, which allowed two of the Lowland League’s top sides the opportunity to put on some fine passing play for the crowd.

On the half-hour mark, Spartans took the lead – and in some style.  Chris Anderson, wearing the Captain’s armband for the day, stroked an inch perfect pass out to Willie Bremner on the corner of the box.  The half-volley strike that followed left the Uni keeper with no chance as it flew across goal into the back of the net for Bremner’s 10^th goal of the season.

Half-Time: Stirling Uni 1-2 Spartans

As far as clichés go, it was to turn out to be a game of two halves.

The Students came out of the changing rooms keen to claw back the deficit and the dangerous duo of Geddes and Sludden were making a nuisance of the themselves in an around Jackson’s 18 yard box.

At the other end, Bremner found himself desperately unlucky not to collect a hat-trick when he rounded the keeper however he was unable to get the ball into the net from a very tight angle.  The frustration on the face of the Spartans striker was clear as he pulled himself back up off the Forthbank turf.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon was for Chris Anderson who came off to warm applause from the stand and was replaced by youngster Blair Atkinson.

Minutes later, Kevin Sivewright replaced Kevin Motion as Spartans looked to extend their lead however the resolute Stirling defence soaked up the pressure.

However, it was a substitution from the home dug out that was to be the game changer.  Two goals in six minutes from Khan Williams-Mitchell saw Stirling grab the final three points on offer in the inaugural Lowland League.

The equaliser came in the 79^th minute.  Williams-Mitchell getting past Main before slotting the ball under Jackson, followed by the winner after a lapse in the Spartans defence saw the same player fire home.

A nasty clash of heads between Danny O’Donnell and Chris McKee saw the bloodied Spartans midfielder leave the field to get a handful of stitches and he was replaced by Neil MacCuish.

In the dying moments, a rainbow appeared in the fantastic backdrop behind the Forthbank terracing however there was to be no pot of gold or late dramatic equalisers from Samuel’s side.  Eddie May’s side held on to their 3-2 lead as Referee Craig King blew the final whistle of 2013-14.

Final Score: Stirling University 3-2 Spartans

Team vs Stirling Uni: Jackson, Cennerazzo, Blaikie, O’Donnell (MacCuish), Main, Motion (Sivewright), Muhsin, Whatley, Bremner, McLeod, Anderson (Atkinson)